The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-03-09
NATURE IN RUINS.
AN Unexplored Region in the Wonderland
of the Far West,

There is one part of the United
States of which but little is known,
although it is not far removed from To-
calities which have been settled for
long time. This undiscovered country
lies near our own doors. 1t borders
upon our own State, and yet Colorado
people are as a rule. as ignorant of it
as are the inhabitants of the East.
The country to which we refer is
that strange region deeply cut with
canyons, and, by repute, dry and bar
rem, which constitutes the northeastern
part of Arizona and the southeastern
part of Utah. A few cattlemen have
been in part of that portion of the
country lying within the boundaries
of Utah, but after going one hundred
miles west of the Colorado or the New
Mexico line it becomes so strange
that we know the country only by
rumor. This is particularly true OF the
part included within the boundaries
of Arizona. Indians and canyons have
combined to keep the white man out.
The first drive him back, and the
second would impede his progress into
this strange region.
The great Colorado river Of the West
flows through canyons made famous
by the Government report of the ex-
plorations conducted by Major Powell.
At some points the cliffs rise not per-
pendicularly, but in benches, to the
height of more than mile above the
river. A mile on level ground APP
pears to be but a short distance. But
when we think of sitting near the
edge of cliff and looking down into a
narrow canyon, not for Il mile only,
but for more than 5000 feet, the very
thought itself assumes the shape
of a horror, But this is what
may be done at the Grand
canon of the Colorado river. The de-
scent is not sheer, straight down, but
it is sufficiently near the perpendicular
to enable one who will dare approach
the dizzy summit of the cliff to see the
narrow band of silver which is thu
foaming river, as it appears from the
summit of the gorge.
Into this mighty, yawning canon thu
San Juan and the Little Colorado flow
They, too, have canons but little les
fearful than that of the chief stream
and it is these and similar chasm
which impede the exploration of thu
country. Besides, it is said to be I
desert region, and that the immigran
would find but little there to rewart
him for the pain and the toll of forcing
his way into it. But rumors indicat
that whatever may be its condition nov
it was once inhabited. Stories com
of the discovery Of immense and won
derful ruins scattered over the plains 0
concealed in the canyons. We know O
the ruins in the Plancos canyon, of the
if possible, more wonderful ruins in tn
Chaco canyon of New Mexico, but
reports be true the grandest of all til
ruins left by the original inhabitants Q
these mountains are to be found in tn
unknown region which we have de
scribed.
Whoever may be seeking adventure
and who has the requisite time an
money, may find a field in th
canyon country which lies in NORTH
eastern Arizona, between the Rio Sa
Juan and the Little Colorado. Whethe
he would find any ruins of mans wor
we do not know, but we are sure ths
the country itself would present the az
pearance of nature in ruins.
(Col. Republican.